Q&A for How to Shop for Makeup

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How do I choose the right foundation?

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Melissa Jannes is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Maebee's Beauty Studio in Philadelphia, a single practitioner space providing quality services with individualized attention. Melissa is also a National Educator for Universal Companies. She received her esthetics degree at The Beauty School of Middletown in 2008 and is licensed in both New York and Pennsylvania. Melissa won the "Best of Beauty" award from Allure magazine in 2012 for the quality of her bikini waxing.

Melissa Jannes

Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator

Expert Answer

There are so many different types of foundations. They range in finishes from matte to dewy, and many brands are becoming very inclusive, so there are a lot of different tones. It's really tricky to match a color in a drugstore by just holding up the container to your face. The best way to find out what color looks best on you is to go to a store where they can test it on your skin.

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Question

What color makeup should I wear?

Charina Redugerio
Makeup Artist
Charina Redugerio is a Makeup Artist based in New York City. With over 13 years of experience in the beauty industry, Charina has worked for Sephora, NARS Cosmetics, L'Oreal, Parfums Christian Dior, Natasha Denona Makeup, and is now a freelance makeup artist. She has conducted makeup for numerous fashion week shows, editorial shoots, and one-on-one client makeovers. She has worked and trained with several global celebrity makeup artists including Dior's Ricky Wilson.

Charina Redugerio

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

It all comes down to your skin tone. Choose colors and shades that match your skin tone to help you look your best.

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Question

I'm planning to buy a concealer, because I saw a video that it can be used to slim my nose. It says I need a twice darker shade than my skin tone, so I am confused - should it be light or dark?

Kaylene Tebbens

Community Answer

To slim your nose, it should be darker; to highlight, it should be lighter.

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Question

Is it considered stealing if I always shop for small items at a fashion/makeup store so I can get makeup freebies?

Community Answer

No, that is not stealing. As long as you are purchasing a product and the company willingly lets you have the freebies, you're fine.

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Question

How do I know if my skin is oily or dry?

Community Answer

If your skin has patches of flaky skin, or places your makeup won't go on as smoothly, you probably have dry skin. If your skin is constantly sweaty or greasy, you probably have oily skin. You can also have a mix, or neither.

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Question

I am Asian; will the smokey eye look good on me?

Community Answer

Yes! Of course! Take some time to experiment and perfect your own version.

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Question

What are the names of some makeup products that I can buy?

Lakin Ferg

Community Answer

A few of the brands you can buy in the drugstore are L'Oréal, Ulta, Covergirl, and Maybelline. For a cheaper brand, try Wet 'n' Wild. Try on some of the makeup samples at the store before you buy. Experiment to see what works best for you.

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Question

I've been "blessed" with sensitive AND oily skin, plus some minor acne sprinkled on my face that I don't want to make worse. I also like to buy cruelty-free makeup. I don't wear foundation right now, but I might want to in the future. Any ideas or tips on what to look for when the time comes?

Community Answer

Some higher-end skin care products really good options for sensitive skin of any kind, and have a three-step skin care routine that includes a soap, something to exfoliate, and then a lotion. There are different products for different skin types, ranging from very dry to very oily and everything in between. Although they may be a little more spendy, a little bit goes a long way and it's definitely worth the investment, as there are noticeable results.

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Question

Should I buy a MAC lipstick?

Community Answer

Sure, if you want to and can find a shade/texture that you like. It's generally considered a good brand. Others to consider are Nars, Vice, and Urban Decay.

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Question

Does Ulta or Sally's Beauty Supply give out free samples or sell oil sheets?

Community Answer

I don't have a Sally's Beauty Supply but I know that ULTA does have tester products but I don't think they have free samples. They also have oil blotting sheets. Sephora has free samples.

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Question

I've never bought or worn makeup. What's the best makeup for covering my blemishes?

Community Answer

If you have minor blemishes, a concealer is your best bet. If you have an uneven skin tone along with other blemishes, you may want to use a foundation. Set both with a powder.

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Question

What color lipstick is suitable for a tan skin tone with an olive base?

Lakin Ferg

Community Answer

Avoid bright colors. Subtle light pink or orange would work best.

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Question

I have never worn makeup before. What should I buy?

Lakin Ferg

Community Answer

The basic products that every girl should get are mascara, an eyelash curler, foundation, concealer, and a light lipstick or gloss. You don't really to buy anything in particular, just what you think you need.

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Question

Would it help to buy all of my products from the same company?

Community Answer

You can if you really like the company, and most brands will tell you their products work best together. This is true to a point. You can also feel free to mix and match brands to your liking.

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Question

What are the perfect drugstore dupes for high-end red, orange and pink lipsticks?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

I personally love the NYX butter lipsticks, Revlon lip stains, and WetNWild liquid catsuit lipsticks.

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Question

Which brands have foundation with sunscreen to prevent acne?

Community Answer

Many brands have SPF foundation, but for acne, BB or CC creams are the best. Try out Clinique; they have a BB cream that is full coverage, with sunscreen, and meant for oily skin.

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Question

I have super sensitive skin and acne, and I want to use makeup without making my face worse. What is a good drugstore face powder?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

I have the same problem, and drugstore skin makeup makes me break out so badly! If you're willing to spend $30+ dollars on face makeup, then I recommend you do so. Or you could experiment with different drugstore foundation to see if you have better luck than me.

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Question

Is there any type of lotion that you would recommend me for my daily skin care routine? I have oily skin.

I like sushi

Top Answerer

Go for a gel moisturizer, as that helps prevent oily skin from building up oils throughout the day.

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Question

I'm 44 and I have wrinkles. What makeup will hide them?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Get a smoothing primer, a liquid foundation or BB or CC cream, and a good setting powder (not foundation powder). Try not to cake on the makeup because it'll crease.

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Question

What powder do I have to use for concealer to set?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

You could use a loose or pressed powder (not foundation powder, setting powder) to set foundation and concealer.

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Question

What are the perfect drugstore dupes for high-end makeup products?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

It depends on the product you're talking about. Not everything will have perfect dupes either color or formula-wise.

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Question

Should I use foundation or concealer if I have acne all over my forehead?

Community Answer

Concealer is the best for this, as it hides blemishes and the like. Try mixing it with your sunscreen for a thicker formula with more coverage.

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Question

What foundation tone would look good on me if I'm Asian?

Demagorgeous

Community Answer

Everyone has different skin tones unique to them! Some foundations I'd recommend is Maybelline 24 full coverage foundation and Fenty Beauty foundation.

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Question

I hate pink and light colored makeup, dark colors look bad on me, I want to wear make up but I don't want a natural look. What do I do?

Kathleen Taylor

Community Answer

This depends on what look you are hoping to achieve. You could buy metallic browns, or purples, blues, and greens to have something that stands out without being dark. White mascara really makes eye color stand out, pink eye liner can look very goth, and very pale lips can be quite dramatic.

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